We’re looking for a skilled 2D illustrator or animator for a 2 month contract, to start some time in February. The work can be done remotely. This is a full time contract, and I expect it to be on par with industry wages.

We’re on schedule to finish the game by the summer. The game is being developed for High Definition and Standard Definition TV resolutions. It’s played from a side view, like a classic 2D platformer game (Super Mario Bros, etc…).

Visually, we’re aiming for a strong, smooth, possibly iconic vector illustration look for the game. 2D animated characters on layered scrolling 2D scenery. Behind the scenes is a capable 3D game engine, and 2D physics engine, though we’d like the game to have a 2D animated feel.

The game features scenes of cartoon violence. No gore, just something in the vein of classic Road Runner cartoons.

To get an idea what the job would entail, you’ll be working with us initially to establish the background look. Then you’ll be working with the 3D modeler and level designer, designing backgrounds and foreground parts for the game, breaking them down for the 3D modeler to reproduce in our tools, and creating any textures needed to achieve the look. Then a similar process for the menus. After that, we’d like to work with you on the character, props, and get your feedback on the HUD and other things found in various parts of the game.

To be able to test the game, you’re going to need a relatively modern PC running Windows XP with a relatively modern video card.

Experience with Flash, ToonBoom, Blender, or any 3D experience is a plus.

To start, I’d like to see portfolios, and any emphasis on background works would be beneficial. Prop, menu, and character work is a plus. You can send them to [email protected] I’d prefer website links, but if you’d like to e-mail something, try not to let it exceed 10 MB.

Candidates we like, we’ll be getting back to for a quote in the next couple weeks. Anyone we don’t get back to, my apologies, but we have a specific style we’re trying to nail with this game.

On the weekend of Jan 26-28 there will be an unofficial Ludum Dare warmup competition.
The compo will be held entirely in #ludumdare on irc.afternet.org. Final entries must be hosted on your own web space. Someone might put up a wiki, but that someone won’t be me

– Theme choice will be discussed and voted on Jan 26 at 7pm PST.
– Participants will have the whole weekend to create the game
– You must choose a single 24 hour time-slot to build your game (so, “all day Saturday”, etc, no taking all 72 hours to make the game. This is a mini-warmup compo with flexible hours.) Honor system and all that.
– Winners will be informally nominated after the competition. “I nominate so-and-so for best graphics!”

I like Slamdance. I entered PuffBOMB last year, and was a finalist for the casual game award. Since then, I’ve been excited that a more “artful” game competition was beginning to take off. Winners receive a funky ugly dog statuette. Cool!

It’s a real shame, and I hope something good comes from the controversy, rather than developing in to more Jack Thompson style heat for our industry. The situation is all bad, no matter how many games pull out or stay in. I don’t even think Slamdance changing their minds would help at this point, regardless of the intentions of the letter.

I could and would really like to go off more on this, but I can’t afford to. I’ll be cheering and booing from the sidelines. Go team!

About tooNormal

tooNormal is the digital notebook of Mike Kasprzak. Some may call it a blog, but it's more a collection of notes and thoughts, when Twitter just isn't verbose enough.

Mike is a long time veteran game developer, having done time at various game studios plus "the indie thing" for well over a decade. He owns and operates SYKRONICS. He also organizes and runs Ludum Dare with some awesome people.